Alignment of FY26 Budget Initiatives with Strategic Priorities

In July 2022, the Board of Education adopted the strategic plan to be implemented from 2022-2027 — Our Blueprint for the Future. This Blueprint defines the transformational work of Gwinnett County Public Schools. The table below demonstrates how the proposed FY26 Budget is aligned with our strategic plan.

Initiatives	Strategic Priority Alignment	Key Alignment Points	Funding Source	Percent of Total Initiatives
A salary step increase for all eligible employees.	Goal 1.C - Construct competitive, strategic and differentiated compensation packages that consider total rewards - both salaries and non-salary benefits.	The salary step increase ensures competitive compensation, helping GCPS attract and retain top talent.	General	9.2%
A $1,000 increase for all employees paid on the teacher salary schedule.	Goal 1.C - Construct competitive, strategic and differentiated compensation packages that consider total rewards - both salaries and non-salary benefits.	The $1,000 salary increase ensures competitive compensation, helping GCPS attract and retain top talent.	General	7.3%
A minimum 1.0% cost-of-living increase for all employees not paid on the teacher schedule.	Goal 1.C - Construct competitive, strategic and differentiated compensation packages that consider total rewards - both salaries and non-salary benefits.	The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) ensures competitive compensation, helping GCPS attract and retain top talent.	General	2.3%
A one-time retention supplement for eligible employees structured to apply higher band rates to lower compensated employees. $2,000 for eligible employees earning less than $50k $1,500 for eligible employees earning $50k - $100k $500 for eligible employees earning above $100k	Goal 1.C - Construct competitive, strategic and differentiated compensation packages that consider total rewards - both salaries and non-salary benefits.	The one-time retention supplement, with higher band rates for lower-paid employees, promotes equitable pay and retention strategies	General	7.0%
Funding the rate increase for the employer-paid portion of the state health benefit plan.	Goal 1.C - Construct competitive, strategic and differentiated compensation packages that consider total rewards - both salaries and non-salary benefits.	By continuing to cover the increased costs of the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP), GCPS demonstrates fiscal responsibility and supports long-term sustainability of employee compensation and benefits.	General	15.2%
Funding the mandatory rate increase for the employer-paid portion of TRS contributions.	Goal 1.C - Construct competitive, strategic and differentiated compensation packages that consider total rewards - both salaries and non-salary benefits.	Covering the rate increase allows GCPS to maintain competitive healthcare benefits for employees without increasing their out-of-pocket costs.	General	6.7%
Increase the number of SROs and other security personnel for elementary schools.	Goal 4.A. – Cultivate school quality, climate, and culture that is student-centered and committed to the success of each and every child. Goal 3.C. – Measure and report educational return on investment to inform budget and resource allocation decisions, as well as drive continuous improvement.	Increasing the number of SROs and other security personnel for elementary schools enhances student and staff safety, creating a secure learning environment.	State Grant	3.7%
Increase safety and security detection systems and measures at middle and high schools.	Goal 4.A. – Cultivate school quality, climate, and culture that is student-centered and committed to the success of each and every child. Goal 3.C. – Measure and report educational return on investment to inform budget and resource allocation decisions, as well as drive continuous improvement.	Increasing safety and security detection systems and measures at middle and high schools supports proactive threat detection, reducing risks and ensuring a safe school climate.	Capital	4.9%
Additional funding for student crisis prevention training for staff	Goal 1.B. – Prioritize investments in student support services for more school counselors, social workers, and psychologists, as well as capacity building for all staff to respond to student mental health challenges. Goal 4.A. – Cultivate school quality, climate, and culture that is student-centered and committed to the success of each and every child. Goal 3.C. – Measure and report educational return on investment to inform budget and resource allocation decisions, as well as drive continuous improvement.	Additional funding for student crisis prevention training for staff equips staff with the skills to handle crises effectively, improving student support and well-being	General	0.1%
Additional funding for online system to manage and support student behavior incidents and consequences.	Goal 4.A. – Cultivate school quality, climate, and culture that is student-centered and committed to the success of each and every child. Goal 3.C. – Measure and report educational return on investment to inform budget and resource allocation decisions, as well as drive continuous improvement.	Additional funding for an online system to manage and support student behavior incidents and consequences enhances behavioral management strategies, leading to a more structured and supportive learning environment.	General	0.1%
Increase funding for local schools’ custodial supplies to keep schools clean and safe.	Goal 4.A. – Cultivate school quality, climate, and culture that is student-centered and committed to the success of each and every child. Goal 3.C. – Measure and report educational return on investment to inform budget and resource allocation decisions, as well as drive continuous improvement.	Increasing funding for local schools’ custodial supplies to keep schools clean and safe ensures schools maintain high cleanliness standards, supporting student and staff health.	General	0.3%
Funding facility improvements including HVAC, roofing and carpet replacements at local school buildings (Capital Funds).	Goal 4.A. – Cultivate school quality, climate, and culture that is student-centered and committed to the success of each and every child. Goal 3.C. – Measure and report educational return on investment to inform budget and resource allocation decisions, as well as drive continuous improvement.	Funding facility improvements including HVAC, roofing, and carpet replacements at local school buildings (Capital Funds), demonstrates long-term investment in infrastructure to ensure safe and well- maintained learning environments.	Capital	31.0%
Increase funding for cyber and network security (Capital Funds).	Goal 4.A. – Cultivate school quality, climate, and culture that is student-centered and committed to the success of each and every child. Goal 3.C. – Measure and report educational return on investment to inform budget and resource allocation decisions, as well as drive continuous improvement.	Increasing funding for cyber and network security (Capital Funds) protects student and staff data while ensuring secure digital learning environments.	Capital	1.7%
Increase funding to provide 25 additional Literacy Specialists in targeted elementary and middle schools to support literacy growth for students and professional development for teachers.	Goal 4.A. – Cultivate school quality, climate, and culture that is student-centered and committed to the success of each and every child.	Supporting literacy growth for students by delivering targeted instruction that strengthens foundational reading skills and directly improves student achievement. Providing professional development for teachers strengthens teacher effectiveness by equipping educators with evidence-based literacy strategies that enhance instructional effectiveness and improve student learning outcomes.	General	1.3%
Additional funding for online system for college and career exploration and planning activities for all middle and high school students.	Goal 4.A. – Cultivate school quality, climate, and culture that is student-centered and committed to the success of each and every child.	Supporting career and college readiness by helping students explore postsecondary opportunities, plan their academic pathways, and make informed career decisions. Equipping students with future-ready skills, and encouraging early planning, ensures that students are prepared for success beyond high school. Utilizing technology to enhance student learning provides a streamlined, data-driven platform that offers personalized career and college planning resources.	General	0.02%
Increase the number of special education staff allotments (additional 143) to local schools to provide greater access and support for students with disabilities.	Goal 4.A. – Cultivate school quality, climate, and culture that is student-centered and committed to the success of each and every child. Goal 3.C. – Measure and report educational return on investment to inform budget and resource allocation decisions, as well as drive continuous improvement.	Supporting access and inclusion by ensuring students with disabilities receive the necessary support to succeed academically, while fostering an inclusive learning environment for all learners. Adding more staff reduces caseloads and enhances individualized support, leading to stronger educational outcomes and improved social-emotional development for students with disabilities.	General	7.4%
Expand the use of funds earmarked for English learner supports to provide enhanced staff training, interventions, and strategies to address the needs of multilingual learners based on research and evaluation results.	Goal 4.A. – Cultivate school quality, climate, and culture that is student-centered and committed to the success of each and every child. Goal 3.C. – Measure and report educational return on investment to inform budget and resource allocation decisions, as well as drive continuous improvement.	Improving academic achievement for multilingual learners by delivering targeted support through staff training, interventions, and evidence-based strategies—ensuring English learners thrive both academically and linguistically. Ensuring multilingual learners have the necessary resources and instructional strategies to thrive in the classroom, aligning with the district’s commitment to providing equitable opportunities for all students.	General	1.7%
Professional name reading system used at all High School graduations.	Goal 4.A. – Cultivate school quality, climate, and culture that is student-centered and committed to the success of each and every child. Goal 3.C. – Measure and report educational return on investment to inform budget and resource allocation decisions, as well as drive continuous improvement.	Promoting student dignity and recognition by ensuring all names are pronounced accurately and professionally, reinforcing inclusivity and student-centered values during this important milestone. Supporting positive student experiences and encouraging a sense of pride and belonging for students and families during the graduation ceremony.	General	0.03%